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Crossover Inventions And Knowledge Diffusion Of General Purpose Technologies? Evidence From The Electrical Technology

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Author Info
Shih-tse Lo
Dhanoos Sutthiphisal

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Abstract

Scholars have long noted the significant impact of general purpose technologies (GPTs) on the economy. However, limited attention has been paid to exploring how they are employed to generate inventions in downstream sectors (crossover inventions), and what factors may facilitate such diffusion. We study these issues by examining the introduction of one of the widely regarded GPTs -- electrical technology -- in the late 19th century U.S. We find that knowledge spillovers between industries (inter-industry spillovers and learning-by-using) had little influence on the geography of crossover inventions as well as the speed and productivity of inventors at making them. Instead, appropriate human capital and an environment promoting inventions in general played a more important role.

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Paper provided by National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc in its series NBER Working Papers with number 14043.

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Date of creation: May 2008
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Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:14043

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N0 - Economic History - - General
O3 - Economic Development, Technological Change, and Growth - - Technological Change

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  1. Badibanga, Thaddee & Diao, Xinshen & Roe, Terry & Somwaru, Agapi, 2008. "Dynamics of Structural Transformation: Understanding the Key Factors That Drive Innovative Activities in Selected Asian and African Countries," Bulletins 43890, University of Minnesota, Economic Development Center. [Downloadable!]
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